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Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Nov 13;9(1):46.
doi: 10.1186/s41256-024-00386-7.

Prevalence of potential drug‒drug interactions and associated factors among elderly patients in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tekletsadik Tekleslassie Alemayehu  1 , Yilkal Abebaw Wassie  2 , Abaynesh Fentahun Bekalu  3 , Addisu Afrassa Tegegne  4 , Wondim Ayenew  5 , Gebresilassie Tadesse  6 , Demis Getachew  7 , Abebaw Setegn Yazie  8 , Bisrat Birke Teketelew  9 , Mekonnen Derese Mekete  5   10 , Setegn Fentahun  6 , Tesfaye Birhanu Abebe  11 , Tefera Minwagaw  5   12 , Gebremariam Wulie Geremew  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Prevalence of potential drug‒drug interactions and associated factors among elderly patients in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tekletsadik Tekleslassie Alemayehu et al. Glob Health Res Policy. .

Erratum in

Abstract

Background: The occurrence of potential drug‒drug interactions (pDDIs) is a serious global issue that affects all age groups, with the elderly population being the most vulnerable. This is due to their relatively high rates of comorbidity and polypharmacy, as well as physiological changes that can increase the potential for DDIs and the likelihood of adverse drug reactions. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of pDDIs and associated factors among elderly patients in Ethiopia.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search using the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis statement was conducted on HINARI, Science Direct, Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, and Research Gate. Data were extracted via a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed via STATA version 11.0. Egger regression tests and funnel plot analysis were used to check publication bias, and the I2 statistic was used to evaluate statistical heterogeneity. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were also conducted to identify potential causes of heterogeneity.

Results: Seven articles were analyzed, and a total of 1897 pDDIs were identified in 970 patients, resulting in an average of 1.97 DDIs per patient. The number of DDIs per patient ranged from 0.18 to 5.86. The overall prevalence of pDDIs among elderly patients was 50.69% (95% CI 18.77-82.63%). However, the prevalence of pDDIs ranged widely from 2.80 to 90.1%. When the severity of the interactions was considered, the prevalence of potential DDIs was found to be 28.74%, 70.68%, and 34.20% for major, moderate, and minor pDDIs, respectively. Polypharmacy and long hospital stays were identified as factors associated with pDDIs among elderly patients in Ethiopia.

Conclusions: The overall prevalence of pDDIs among elderly patients was high, with a wide range of prevalence rates. Moderate-severity interactions were the most prevalent. Polypharmacy and long hospital stays were identified as factors associated with pDDIs among elderly patients. The study suggests that DDIs identification database itself could have modified the DDIs prevalence rate. As a result, a single DDIs identification database needs to be authorized; otherwise, clinical knowledge should be taken into account when interpreting the information obtained.

Keywords: Associated factors; Elderly; Ethiopia; Potential drug‒drug interaction; Prevalence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate Not applicable. Human ethics and consent to participate Not applicable. Availability of data and materials All relevant data are available within the manuscript. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flowchart diagram
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The pooled prevalence of pDDIs among elderly patients in Ethiopia
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Random effects funnel plot of logit event rate of pDDIs effect sizes by standard error
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
pooled factors associated with pDDIs among elderly patients in Ethiopia
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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